A statement by the Ministry of Rural Development on Monday, confirmed the development, saying three persons, who were workers of a dredging company, were in police custody, while their equipment had been confiscated.

The statement added that the Commissioner for Rural Development, Cornelius Ojelabi, had visited the villages and assured the residents of government’s intervention.

The commissioner said, “With this visit, the ministry will liaise with Power Holding Company of Nigeria to provide a short term relief for the people, since this was not included in 2013 budget.

“The replacement of the wires with a better high-tension wire which will allow free movement of dredgers and other big ships without destroying the poles required huge resources.

“So we will find a way of including it in 2014 budget for a lasting solution.”

He added that the ministry was discussing with the arrested workers to see how they could assist with rectifying the faults.

Chairman of Oto-Awori LCDA, Mr. Bolaji Roberts, also appealed for caution by operators of dredgers and big boats when passing through waterways to prevent the big boats blowing off small ones thereby killing the occupants like it happened recently.

The Chairman of the state House of Assembly Committee on Energy and Waterfront Development, Mr. Lanre Ogunyemi, said the Assembly had directed the Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development and state Inland Waterways Services to increase surveillance of waterways.

Columnists

"Mr Orubebe, you are former minister of the Federal Republic, you are a statesman in your own right and you must be careful about what you say and about the allegations or accusations that you make and certainly you must be careful about your public conducts."

INEC's Chairman, Attairu Jega cautioning Orubebe over his conduct during the release of the Presidential election results.